An ace in the hole: The effects of (in)accurately observed structural holes on organizational reputation positions in whole networks

Annefleur R. Krijkamp, Joris Knoben, Leon A.G. Oerlemans and Roger T.A.J. Leenders

Journal of Business Research, 2021, vol. 129, issue C, 703-713

Abstract: A large body of the literature has found that occupying structural holes positively affect organizational outcomes. Structural holes pose strategic opportunities for organizations that are knowledgeable of their advantageous position. However, most studies do not consider whether organizations observe their structural holes accurately. Such observational (in)accuracy might explain variation in return-on-structural-holes. This study investigates the effects of (in)accurate perceptions of organizations’ structural holes position on organizational reputation. We consider scenarios where organizations (correctly) observe or (incorrectly) miss existing structural holes or where they incorrectly observe structural holes. We collected data in two whole networks in the healthcare industry. We find that accurately observing one’s structural hole position increases organizational reputation. Contrary, organizations that perceive structural holes that actually do not exist, suffer negative reputation effects. Our research implies that similar network positions can yield differential reputation effects depending on the accuracy of the knowledge of the organization occupying this position.

Keywords: Structural holes; Organizational reputation; Whole networks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296319306642
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:129:y:2021:i:c:p:703-713

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.10.066

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of Business Research is currently edited by A. G. Woodside

More articles in Journal of Business Research from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().